Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 31, 1995 TAG: 9509010021
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Any worries about linebacking and the offensive line send them reaching for a double dose of antacid.
But Ed Scott, the Patriots' boss, is taking a more cool and detached approach.
``This team is a hard one to read,'' he said.
Fresh from a berth in the Group AAA Division 5 playoffs, PH appear to have enough talent to return to the postseason if Scott finds a way to address the aforementioned concerns.
The Patriots also could battle perennial Roanoke Valley District power Pulaski County and up-and-coming Cave Spring for the league championship. William Fleming and Franklin County may not be quite ready to contend.
For PH to live up to that promise, linebacker Kevin Washington will have to mentor newcomers Mike Stevens in the middle and Mike Boyd on the outside until the unit can jell.
That same veteran responsibility will fall on senior T.J. Tate, the most experienced offensive lineman the Patriots have.
``Last year at the end of the year, he was playing as well as anybody we had,'' Scott said of Tate.
Even with the graduation loss of speedster and all-purpose threat Jamie Price, PH has enviable experience at the skill positions.
Quarterback Donnie Smith, who missed the playoffs because of an injury, is back. He threw for 980 yards and 12 touchdowns and ran for 275 and two touchdowns. Also returning are Dan Ankoma and Washington, who combined for 1,000 yards and 21 touchdowns while alternating at fullback. Tailbacks Shaun Akers and James Hickenbotham, a sophomore, run with above-average speed.
Defensively, the Patriots are solid in the secondary. Big-hitters Nick Saunders and Mark Johnson patrol the corners and team with Roschaun Martin, the fastest player on the team, to form a menacing trio.
Ankoma and Tiran Stewart, the tackles, anchor the defensive line.
Sophomores Devon Battle at defensive end and Jonathan Helms on the offensive line, along with the two new linebackers, are newcomers who bear watching.
Cave Spring will have as much size as any Roanoke Valley District team. The beefiest of the bunch include guard-defensive end Jimmy Fusco (6-foot-2, 240 pounds) and tackle-defensive end Mike Mitchem (6-4, 265).
``We're going to saddle those two up,'' said Steve Spangler, the Knights' coach.
Fusco and Mitchem won't have to bear the entire load. Center Brad Custer (6-0, 230), sophomore tackle Matt Berger (6-3, 255), defensive tackle Jud Poulter (6-0, 210) and tight end Aaron Williams (6-3, 235) are others who will not easily be moved to where they don't want to go.
Senior quarterback Jeff Lang is an experienced leader who will have new backfield mates in tailback Jason Fox and fullback Robert Hale. Flanker Nathan Manning (6-1, 210) is big enough to also play linebacker. Josh Dowdy (6-0, 210) could join Manning at linebacker to give the Knights an imposing pair.
Cave Spring's nondistrict schedule is heavily weighted to Group AA teams. That could help the new Knights gain some confidence before the team plunges into its district schedule.
Most of Franklin County's experience is on the defensive side of the ball.
The most seasoned Eagles are seniors Gray Hodges at safety, Brian Gilreath at linebacker and Haywood Dunlap at defensive end.
K.C. Hancock is going to assume much of the running load shouldered last year by John Muse. Eric Walker could figure prominently as a wide receiver.
Franklin County, which was 3-7 in 1994, won't have much time to get on its feet with Division 6 runner-up George Washington-Danville and E.C. Glass among its first three opponents.
``Our strength is going to be team speed,'' said Horace Green, the Eagles' coach. ``Our weakness is depth.''
William Fleming is starting over under new coach George Miller, a former assistant under Sherley Stuart.
The Colonels won one game last year and the memories of that discouraging campaign may be difficult to overcome early in the season. But Fleming has athletes with size and speed.
The most important project during the preseason was to install Charles Burnette at quarterback. Burnette was a wide receiver last year, but he is considered one of the best athletes in the school and has started since he was a freshman.
``He has all the tools to be a quarterback, but he just doesn't have the experience yet,'' Miller said of Burnette, who won't have the luxury of specializing. He will be playing safety again this year, too.
Fleming will stick with the I-formation, its offense under Stuart. Defensively, the Colonels are solid at linebacker, with returning starters Matt Grogan in the middle and sophomore Tito Stone on one side. Tackles Ricardo Gill and Reginald Thompson will be among those called on to anchor the defensive front.
``I expect some big things out of these young players,'' Miller said.
Pulaski County should experience only a slight drop-off from the past three years, when it twice advanced to the Division 6 title game.
The Cougars are loaded on the line of scrimmage with two-way player Jay James and defensive end Matt Hull. The offensive line should be particularly good at opening holes for backs Derrick Hunter and Jawan Clark and giving quarterback Ron Branch time to throw.
Once the linebacking corps comes together, the Cougars will be stout on defense.
Here's a closer look at the teams:
CAVE SPRING
1994 record: 6-4 overall, 2-2 in the Roanoke Valley District.
Coach: Steve Spangler, fourth year.
Returning starters: Jeff Lang, Sr., QB, 5-10, 165; Jimmy Fusco, Sr., G-DE, 6-2, 240; Mike Mitchem, Sr., OT-DE, 6-4, 265; John Poff, Sr., TE (moves to G), 5-10, 195; Nathan Manning, Sr., OLB, 6-1, 210.
Other key players: Jason Fox, Jr., OLB-FL, 5-9, 165; Robert Hale, Jr., LB-FB, 5-10, 165; Aaron Williams, Soph., TE-LB, 6-3, 235; Brad Custer, Sr., C, 6-0, 235; Matt Berger, Soph., OT-DT, 6-3, 255; Jud Poulter, Jr., DT, 6-0, 210; Josh Dowdy, Jr., LB, 6-0, 210; Joe Mullins, Soph., P, 6-0, 165.
Major losses: Anthony Woolums, TB, 5-11, 180; Dusty Beekman, FL, 5-10, 170; O.J. Beane, FB, 5-8, 185; Jeff Tolley, C, 6-0, 210; Isaac Williams, G-LB, 5-11, 210; Bo Bolinsky, OT, 6-2, 235; Justin Mowles, LB, 5-10, 190; Jeff Wright, DB, 6-0, 175.
Outlook: Cave Spring is eager to capitalize on the positive strides made last year. The program seems to be going in the right direction. The Knights could build a head of steam during the early part of the schedule, when four of the first five teams it plays are of the Group AA variety. If Cave Spring develops some confidence during that stretch, it could be a formidable factor in the Roanoke Valley District race.
|SCHEDULE| Sept.1, at Northside; 8, at Martinsville; 15, Blacksburg; 22, at Heritage.
Oct.6, at Rockbridge County; 13, at Franklin County; 20, Patrick Henry; 27, William Fleming.
Nov.3, at Salem; 10, at Pulaski County.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
1994 record: 3-7, 1-3 in the Roanoke Valley District
Coach: Horace Green, third year
Returning starters: Gray Hodges, Sr., WB, DB, 6-0, 160; Brian Gilreath, Sr., C, LB, 5-9, 190; Haywood Dunlap, Sr., DE, 5-11, 200; K.C. Hancock, Sr., RB, 6-1, 169; Willie Arrington, Sr., OT, 6-0, 272; Doug McPeake, Sr., OG, 6-0, 189; Josh Gibson, Jr., TE, 6-1, 218; Bays Gibson, Sr., WR, DB, 6-1, 189; Travis Kent, Jr., RB, 5-10, 165; John Booth, Sr., DB, 5-11157.
Other key players: Eric Walker, Sr., WR. 5-11, 150; Brandon Smith, Jr., RB, 5-9, 155; Jonathan Meador, Jr., DE, 6-3, 208; Shaun Ferguson, Sr., WR, DB, 6-0, 174; Brad Jordan, Jr., FB, LB, 5-9, 175.
Major losses: John Muse, RB, 5-9, 170; Keith Webster, DE, 6-0, 200; Eric Testerman, T5-11, 290; Reid Holley, G, 6-0, 250; John Sawyers, DB, 5-9, 150
Outlook: The good news for Franklin County is that overall team speed is better than it has been. The bad news is that there are many lightly experienced players who must be broken in in a hurry. Once that's done, the Eagles coaches hope they stay healthy. There isn't much depth to work with if key players fall.
|SCHEDULE| Sept. 1 - George Washington (Danville); 8 - at Laurel Park; 15 - at Heritage; 22 - Rockbridge County; 29 - at E.C. Glass
Oct. 6 - at Pulaski County; 13 - Cave Spring; 20 - Halifax County; 27 - at Patrick Henry
Nov. 4 - William Fleming; 10 - open
PATRICK HENRY
1994 record: 8-4 , 3-1.
Coach: Ed Scott, sixth year.
Returning starters: T.J. Tate, Sr., OT-DT, 5-9, 225; Donnie Smith, Sr., QB, 6-0, 210; Dan Ankoma, Sr., FB-DT, 5-10, 215; Kevin Washington, Sr., FB-LB, 6-0, 225; Tiran Stewart, Jr., DT, 6-1, 255; Nick Saunders, Sr., CB, 5-7, 160; Mark Johnson, Sr., CB, 5-9, 180; Roschaun Martin, Sr., S, 6-1, 180.
Other key players: Chad French, Sr., OT-DT, 5-9, 240; Dennis Dunnaville, Jr., S, 5-10, 170; Devon Battle, Soph., DE, 6-4, 215; Mike Boyd, Sr., LB, 5-6, 150; Jonathan Helms, Soph., OT-DT, 6-3, 230; Shaun Akers, Jr., TB, 5-10, 165; James Hickenbotham, Soph., TB, 5-9, 145; Jerome Cook, Soph., TE-P, 5-11, 205
Major losses: Chris Combs, TE-DE, 6-5, 235; Jamie Price, RB-KR, 5-6, 125; Montrice Smith, LB, 5-11, 230; Mike Sisler, OT, 5-11, 225.
Outlook: If the Patriots can find some linebackers and some depth on the offensive line, they will be contenders in the district. Donnie Smith is back at quarterback after missing the Division 5 playoffs last year. Smith is big and strong enough and effective enough as a runner that the option may figure into the offensive scheme a little more than last year.
|SCHEDULE| Sept.8, at Magna Vista; 15, Salem; 22, GW-Danville; 29, at Halifax County.
Oct.6, E.C. Glass; 13, at Heritage; 20, at Cave Spring; 27, Franklin County.
Nov.3, Pulaski County; 10, at William Fleming.
PULASKI COUNTY
1994 record: 10-2, 4-0.
Coach: Joel Hicks, 17th year.
Returning starters: Jay James, SR., DT-OT, 6-1, 227; Kevin Phillips, Sr., G, 5-11, 201; Jamar McNair, Sr., S, 5-10, 168; Derrick Hunter, Sr., TB-DB, 5-10, 160; Jonathan Gilbert, Jr., DT, 5-10, 250; Mike Coleman, Jr., DT, 5-11, 255; Matt Hull, Sr., DE, 6-2, 221; Brody Lindamood, Sr., DT, 6-0, 278; Jawan Clark, Sr., LB-FB (moved from DB), 5-11, 175; Shayne Graham, Sr., K, 6-0, 170.
Other key players: Bryan Dalton, Sr., OT, 6-3, 283; Brian Queen, Sr., C , 5-11, 210; Ron Branch, Sr., QB, 6-3, 170; Billy Beverly, Sr., Z-back, 174, 5-11 ; Bucky Seagle, Jr., CB, 5-10, 165; J.R. Brown, Jr., CB, 5-11, 158; Russell Shockley, Sr., TE-LB, 6-2, 200; J.R. Osborne, Jr., LB, 5-10, 185.
Major losses: Eric Webb, 6-2, 225, WB-LB; Andre Eaves, 5-7, 170, QB-DB; Tim Davis, 5-9, 180, FB-DB; Jon Lilly, 6-4, 230, TE, DE.
Outlook: The Cougars are loaded again, especially on the offensive and defensive lines. A strong offensive front will hasten the development of some of the less-experienced backs, such as Clark and Branch. Graham is a weapon who will be difficult for any team in the state to match, and Hunter could be poised for a big year as the focus of the attack. The questions are at linebacker and in the secondary, but it shouldn't take long to answer them. Pulaski County never has a suspect defense.
|SCHEDULE| Sept.1, Anacostia (Washington, D.C.); 8, at E.C. Glass; 22, at Science Hill (Johnson City, Tenn.); 29, Heritage.
Oct.6, Franklin County; 13, Salem; 20, at William Fleming; 27, at Petersburg.
Nov.3, Patrick Henry; 10, Cave Spring.
WILLIAM FLEMING
1994 record: 1-9, 0-4.
Coach: George Miller, first year.
Returning starters: Charles Burnette, Jr., S-WR (moves to QB), 6-2, 180; Richard Wilson, Jr., WR, 5-7, 150; Garrett Lancaster, Sr., P, 5-8, 165; Matt Grogan, Sr., MLB, 6-2, 235; Corey Poindexter, Sr., DE-TE, 6-1, 185; Tito Stone, Soph., LB, 6-2, 190.
Other key players: Ricardo Gill, Jr., 6-1, 245, OT-DT; Reginald Thompson, Jr., 5-10, 200, G-DT; Derrick Rubin, Soph., 6-0, 215, G-NG; Patrick McGeorge, Jr., C-LB, 5-10, 185; Everett Watson, Soph., OT-DT, 6-2, 220; Eugene Smith, Jr., C-DT, 6-1, 255; Joseph Brown, Jr., TB-DB, 5-10, 180; Brian Adams, Jr., QB, 5-10, 175; Lee Suggs, Soph., TB-DB, 5-10, 180; J.R. Word, Soph., FB-MLB, 5-9, 215; Dequon Mayo, G-DE, Jr., 6-1, 215; Matthias Zapatka, Jr., OT-DT, 6-3, 240; Rodney Morris, Soph., WR-DE, 6-4, 195; Jaron Walker, Jr., WR-LB, 6-3, 180.
Major losses: John St. Clair, TE-DT, 6-6, 260; Shannon Wilson, QB, 5-10, 165; Russell Mills, OT-DT, 6-7, 312; Paul Wallace, C-NG, 6-2, 250; Daniel Gunn RB, 5-10, 180.
Outlook: The Colonels are short on experience but long on enthusiasm under first-year coach George Miller. The schedule is difficult, with nothing but Group AAA teams, but optimism reigns. Burnette will be learning to play quarterback for a while, but he's a good enough athlete that he figures to be up to the task.
|SCHEDULE| Sept.1, Heritage; 8, Petersburg; 15, at Halifax County; 22, at E.C. Glass; 29, GW-Danville.
Oct.6, at Albemarle-Charlottesville; 20, Pulaski County; 27, at Cave Spring.
Nov.3, at Franklin County; 10, Patrick Henry.
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH: 1, Pulaski County; 2, Patrick Henry; 3, Cave Spring; 4, William Fleming; 5, Franklin County.
by CNB